Not a competition
We had our first Christmas card on November 29th, a record for the sender. His is usually the first to arrive, but it has always at least been December before his card drops through the letter box. He is now a widower, in his second Christmas as such, but always wrote the cards every year, much as my brother-in-law did.
I haven’t even written our cards, though I have bought the Christmas stamps. I suppose there are several approaches to card posting. Some send early, to ensure they have completed the task, and maybe to try and guarantee a card in return. Some send as and when they think about it, perhaps adding recipients as they go. Some wait to see who will send them cards and respond accordingly. Some choose never to send cards.
Increasingly, with the cost of postage rising, some opt to publish a general Christmas greeting on social media. They usually claim to be spending the cost of cards and postage on charity donations instead, which is entirely commendable.
I love receiving cards, and know from the envelopes who has sent them. Handwriting is so distinctive, but even with those bearing efficiently printed address labels, it’s possible to discern from post marks where they’ve come from.
However, it is with some trepidation that we open the cards. Some enclose those oft-mocked ‘round robins.’ It’s true that they can be missives of self-congratulation on personal achievements or offsprings’ accomplishments, but mostly they’re amusing, chatty summaries of life. They do relieve the task of writing the same things over and over again to different people.
Other cards bring news of death or disability, which cause a pause for reflection and memory.
Our list has dwindled a little across the
years.
It’s inevitable. It’s sad. It’s life.
But life goes on (never start a sentence with ‘but!’) and I will have to set aside some time soon to write Christmas greetings. December gathers speed hour by hour and I already have a sense of time running out when there’s still so much to do and learn.
Running
to catch up, as usual.
We send out very few cards, and by the small stack we receive it looks like most of our friends feel the same way about the task.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a tradition that's slowly dying out.
DeleteI just send a fairly brief email greeting with an image that works as a card or in place of a card.
ReplyDeleteEmails can always be printed if wanted, too.
DeleteI've been sending aminated electronic cards, because they get there and I know they're received. I think people enjoy them. I know I do.
ReplyDeleteI have sent those sometimes, though usually for birthdays. Certainly easier.
DeleteI send a lot. I sigh and procrastinte over the list, but I love receiving cards so it's only fair that I send them out. There's a little Albert Campion short detective story which depends up (spoiler alert) a lonely widow putting up the same half dozen Christmas cards every year because she is totally on her own, so poignant.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad. For that reason alone, I shall continue to write and send cards.
DeleteI do ecards mostly, using the wonderful Jacquie Lawson site, and make a charitable donation. For me it works on several levels. xx
ReplyDeleteThe Jacquie Lawson ecards are very entertaining.
DeleteMy scribbled messages over the cards always look messy and I vow each year to have better writing. We have reached a point when we can either send a card physically by very expensive postage, or an internet 'Moon Pig' card or email with a Christmassy thing.
ReplyDeleteMoonpig is efficient, and good for 'last minute.'
DeleteI hope to post cards today, if it ever stops raining, we send out less each year, like you I love to receive cards, sadly we get loads through companies who send for you, so no lovely handwritten notes inside. Our world has changed.
ReplyDeleteChildren don't seem to send cards, either.
DeleteI was told to not begin a sentence with but, but at times it is so obvious to do so. We used to receive around forty Christmas cards, now down to me receiving a few. I too received a Christmas card on the 29th. A Christmas tree has been erected in my lounge room. I don't like this early start to Christmas.
ReplyDeleteChristmas starts in August these years, with the first catalogues trying to grab business/money before the competitors.
DeleteI sent out all my downunder cards mid November. There's a slight chance they'll get there by Xmas. Now I'll have to send the UK cards. Not many. Postage is just too much.
ReplyDeleteI have my first Xmas card. Hand delivered by overseas visitors in October. They were very well organised
That is impressive! 😊
DeleteNot as many people send them any more. I still love sending and getting them. I wanted to make them again this year but i've run out of time so looks like store bought cards this year.
ReplyDeleteI always intend to make cards, but rarely manage it.
DeleteI did not have a great number to send. However I am sending them out earlier than I normally do. Our Postal Service over here is getting worse by the minute. I mailed a box guaranteed by the price of the postage, to be delivered in 3 days. They finally delivered it in 10. I mailed a first class birthday card to a friend only 200 miles away, and that took 7 days.
ReplyDeleteWe complain about our postal service, but I think you win that contest!!
DeleteI received my first Christmas card, from England, already in mid November (from an old penfriend, who's always early!); and another one last Friday, from the U.S.
ReplyDeleteI have always both sent and received a lot of Christmas cards. The amount has indeed dwindled in later years though, with the cost of stamps now ridiculously high, while greetings sent via email or FB etc are free. (And also, sadly, some dear old friends having passed away...) I managed to get my cards to foreign countries written yesterday, as I wanted to get those posted today. Luckily I did have enough cards with envelopes at home, left over from last year - and stamps, too. Letters to England and Germany normally only take a few days, but with the ones going "across the world" one never quite knows...
I wonder if ours will be the last generation to post cards. What a shame that would be, when you consider the history that has been relayed through the postal system.
DeleteYou've reminded me that I've got to get ours out!
ReplyDeleteGlad to have been of assistance . . . 😉
DeleteI have made Christmas cards for a few years but probably going to give myself a year off and buy some , I think it's probably a bit cheaper 😉😂
ReplyDeleteI do like to get a card through the post but increasingly the electronic method is taking over isn't it?
Alison in Devon x
You're probably right that bought cards are cheaper. The electronic method is quicker and more efficient but lacks the personal touch, somehow.
DeleteI do not send cards of any kind, holiday or birthday. I stopped Christmas cards about 20 years ago. Since the internet came into play, I send text, email, blog cards. I am my daddy's daughter and don't see the sent in saying Merry Christmas to anyone that I am in daily contact with. I am snail mail Grinch
ReplyDeleteNot a grinch, just pragmatic.
DeleteI've made a start on writing the cards and have even hand delivered some, only because I was seeing the people and thought I would save the price of a stamp. We receive less and less cards, people dying or opting not to send and make a donation to charity instead. But (I know, not done) I like receiving cards, so think its only fair to send in return. Xx
ReplyDeleteThat's more or less my approach.
ReplyDeleteMy cards will be later as my daughter ordered some photo cards with grandson, I am usually early-Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThose will be very special cards.
ReplyDeleteI send MANY fewer cards than I used to, but when I send them I generally write some kind of message. It is always disappointing when I open a card from someone I don't see generally and only have a signature! I don't mind Christmas letters, find them an interesting reflection on the writer of the card really....what is important to them about their year. One friend tells what every grandchild is doing, which I suppose lots of immediate family find fascinating. As for me, I skim it! I have a friend in Germany who says that I am the ONLY person she sends Christmas cards to now. We have sent them for 50 + years. With the cost of postage now, I understand people eliminating card sending.
ReplyDeleteIt is a tradition that will die out eventually, I'm afraid.
DeleteWriting Christmas cards isn't something I look forward to and I usually leave it to the last minute to make a start with them. That said, we received our first Christmas card and gift at the office from one of our suppliers two weeks ago :-o xxx
ReplyDeleteI don't enjoy writing them, either, and yet I'm so pleased when I've finished them.
DeleteI start sentences with "and" and "but" all the time. I think it's a silly rule. :)
ReplyDeleteI used to send about 50 Christmas cards every year. But since Facebook I've stopped. It just seems unnecessary now, when I'm in touch with everyone all the time online!
The rule about 'and' and 'but' is really for young children, I think, who have little idea where sentences start and finish and employ a 'stream of consciousness' method of writing.
DeleteWith Christmas Day, there are still 12 days of the season left. No sweat, you still have plenty of time.
ReplyDeletePhew! 😉
DeleteYour reflections on the ebb and flow of Christmas cards capture so tenderly how each envelope becomes a small testament to the passing years, the people we’ve loved, and the quiet persistence of staying connected.
ReplyDeleteIt is the connection that's so important, especially for those who may feel socially isolated.
DeleteI received my first card today and sent out my cards today as well.
ReplyDeleteWell done! 😁
DeleteI do like to send and receive Christmas Cards!
ReplyDeleteI have started writing mine and posted some, still more to do but there is plenty of time.
All the best Jan
If I don't do them all in one go, I'm in danger of forgetting someone!
DeleteI'm shocked that you received a card already. I don't get many cards and sometimes they arrive after Christmas. I mail about 20 cards each year.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Some people send New Year cards - I suppose that's quite a nice idea.
DeleteSending fewer cards this year, due to a combination of deaths and cost-cutting. Our family used to have a Round Robin but it died out many years ago. I don't mind the two annual Christmas letters I get but one of them was sent by an aunt whose husband died this past year so I don't know if she will do a letter this year.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to be cheerful when someone has died.
DeleteI haven't received any cards yet. I don't send out quite as many as I used to with people deciding to send electronic ones, and then those who have passed away. It is wonderful getting one dropped into the letterbox and like you I recognize the handwriting of most everyone. Thank you for the nice welcome home, great to be visiting again. Wishing you a very happy December!
ReplyDeleteMy list has shortened, too. It wouldn't exist at all if my husband had the task of writing them.
DeleteMy "send" list is down to three now, but I don't bother with Christmas stamps, just use the "concession" priced stamps we pensioners are allowed.
ReplyDeleteConcession stamps? That sounds generous. We have nothing like that, just thousands of people living on benefits . . .
DeleteMy first one came earlier than that! Yes, always the same person who's so organised. My address book is full of crossings-out these days.
ReplyDeleteI write 'death dates' in my address book. It's surprising how quickly time passes.
DeleteMy cards are sent now. I only send a few in the post. The rest are hand delivered, WhatsApp, text, e-mail or a phone call.
ReplyDeleteThat's well-organised. 😊
Delete